In Photos: Russian Youth Take Part in 'Military-Patriotic' Games Outside Moscow
Young Russians aged 15-16 this week took part in Zarnitsa, a "military-patriotic" series of games.
The event comes amid a wider militarization of Russian society seen in recent years, particularly since the invasion of Ukraine.
Held at the Borodino Field Museum and Reserve outside Moscow, the Zarnitsa games aimed to teach youth military skills including operating drones, electronic warfare and reconnaissance.
According to event organizers, servicemen who took part in the invasion of Ukraine — dubbed a "special military operation" by the Kremlin — taught participants about "offensive techniques."
Here are photos from the event:
The event comes amid a wider militarization of Russian society seen in recent years, particularly since the invasion of Ukraine.
Held at the Borodino Field Museum and Reserve outside Moscow, the Zarnitsa games aimed to teach youth military skills including operating drones, electronic warfare and reconnaissance.
According to event organizers, servicemen who took part in the invasion of Ukraine — dubbed a "special military operation" by the Kremlin — taught participants about "offensive techniques."
Here are photos from the event:
The Zarnitsa games were launched by The Movement of the First, a youth movement founded in December 2022 to organize teenagers' leisure and educate them to form a worldview "based on traditional Russian spiritual and moral goals."
Pelagia Tikhonova / Moskva News Agency
Russia's involvement of minors in military education and activities has drawn widespread criticism.
Pelagia Tikhonova / Moskva News Agency
Teens stand with mock rifles and the Moscow city flag.
Pelagia Tikhonova / Moskva News Agency
The event's opening ceremony took place at the monument to the heroes of the Battle of Borodino.
Pelagia Tikhonova / Moskva News Agency
Sergei Kiriyenko (L), first deputy chief of staff of the Russian presidential administration, and Artyom Zhoga, commander of the pro-Russian separatist Sparta Battalion, seen attending the regional stage of the Zarnitsa 2.0 military-patriotic sporting games.
Pelagia Tikhonova / Moskva News Agency
Basic military training, which was abolished after the Soviet collapse, will become part of the curriculum for Russian high schoolers in grades 10 and 11 as part of curriculum changes following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
During the games, teenage participants are expected to equip and camouflage a base camp, organize ambushes and repel attacks from a mock enemy.
Pelagia Tikhonova / Moskva News Agency
Younger schoolchildren are required to attend weekly patriotic classes called “Important Conversations,” which have been criticized by parents, teachers and lawyers as state efforts to rally support for the war among children.
Pelagia Tikhonova / Moskva News Agency
Teens wear uniforms bearing the logo of The Movement of the First, which is said to be "under the personal supervision of the president of Russia."
Pelagia Tikhonova / Moskva News Agency
While 125 teenagers took part in this week's event, organizers say the Zarnitsa games will eventually be scaled and expanded at the national level.
Pelagia Tikhonova / Moskva News Agency
